Snakes Victims of Parasites

Tissue damage in the liver and intestine of viper snake by nematodes and in the intestine of cobra by an acanthocephala is described here. These snakes were naturally infected with the parasites. Study of tissue sections revealed that the nematodes in the liver of viper cause severe damage including destruction of general architecture, atrophy and fibrosis. Lobular configuration of liver was disturbed, coagulated necrosis has occurred, melanomacrophage centers appeared. Bile duct hyperplasia with marked colangiohepatitis was observed. In the intestine the nematode caused fusion and destruction of mucosa with deformed villi, formation of granulomas in mucosa and submucosa was a common finding with large numbers of fibrous elements. The acanthocephala in the intestine of cobra caused severe tissue injury involving the whole thickness of its wall. Penetration of spiny proboscis caused severe tissue reactions, shrinkage of muscles, atrophy, necrosis and degeneration. This information is of value to research workers in this field, snake breeders and traders as well as to students and teachers of parasitology.